You could do worse than hang out in Koreatown, where jumbo television screens will show games outside bars and restaurants, or soak up the south of the border flavor at Mexican restaurants on Olvera Street in the historic heart of L.A.
Many bars and restaurants are making a special effort, opening their doors early for games that generally will be televised at 4:30 a.m., 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. local time. So click here for a schedule of games (www.fifa.com) and get ready to cheer on your favorite team.
The South African-owned Springbok Bar and Grill, located in Van Nuys, offers an authentic World Cup experience with regional favorites like samosas, a savory pastry stuffed with curried beef that is one of its signature dishes. A schedule of games is here: www.thespringbok.com.
The Fox & Hounds pub in Studio City is taking reservations for all World Cup games. Some games don’t require tickets, while the $10 ticket price for others will be taken off your tab during the game. See www.thefoxandhounds.com for the full schedule.
Trendy L.A. LIVE Downtown is the city’s answer to Times Square with two just-opened luxury hotels (The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott), more than a dozen restaurants and bars and the STAPLES Center, home to the NBA’s Lakers, Clippers and other professional sports teams. The loud, expansive and invariably packed ESPN Zone is opening early for all World Cup games, which it will show on its more than 150 HD televisions. The Red Tigers, a group of Korean sports fans, will host viewing parties there for all three games involving South Korea. Hundreds of fans are expected to attend. Go early. 
The 3rd Stop in the Mid-City West is a trendy, upscale bar that will open at 11 a.m. starting June 11. Known for its affordable happy hour and friendly service, the popular bar boasts multiple flat screen TVs that will all be showing World Cup games.
The Cat and Fiddle Pub, 6530 Sunset Blvd., is a Hollywood institution with a clientele of aging British rock stars and a sunny patio ideal for watching the beautiful people go by. A schedule of games is here: www.thecatandfiddle.com
The Happy Ending Bar and Restaurant, also on Sunset Blvd, is a trademark Hollywood dive bar that will be open 24 hours for the World Cup starting June 11. Expect loud company and great drink specials during all games. While not upscale, be sure to follow a dress code typical of most bars and clubs in the area.
The upscale Capitol City Sports Bar and Lounge in Hollywood opens early for two games involving the U.S. June 18 and June 23 only for a viewing party hosted by the Los Angeles chapter of The American Outlaws, a U.S. soccer fan group.
Also in Hollywood, patrons can enjoy watching every game at one of the best burger joints in LA (25 Degrees Hollywood at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel). 25 Degrees is offering $1 beers during World Cup games for anyone wearing their team colors or attire. 25 Degrees is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week and World Cup Happy Hour is 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
All three Big Wangs sports bars will be showing the games, however, the Hollywood and Downtown LA locations will open early on select days to accommodate early morning games. A $15 cover charge, which includes a buffet, will be required until 9 a.m. Contact individual locations regarding World Cup events and hours. 
The Red Lion Tavern is a popular German pub in Silver Lake with an impressive selection of beer and German food. Hang out in the beer garden outside or relax in the upper lounge area while you watch all World Cup games. The pub will open starting 6 a.m. every day.
El Morfi Eatery, an Argentine and Italian restaurant in Glendale, is a local eatery with a warm, friendly atmosphere. Enjoy authentic South American dishes while you watch all World Cup games. Breakfast will be served for anyone there to watch the 4:30 a.m. games. 
Cozy Lucky Baldwins in Old Town Pasadena is known for its extensive beer selection and British breakfast. It will show every game live. 
The nearby Altadena Ale & Wine House, serves casual French and British pub fare (including a ploughman’s lunch) along with every game – including 4:30 a.m. games – live. 
Santa Monica is the epicenter of the British community in LA. The Cock n’ Bull, one of the nation’s original soccer pubs (look for the bright red telephone booth outside), boasts a new 135" HD projector screen television. All games will be shown live, with doors opening an hour before the first game kicks off. 
The Britannia Pub, a block off Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, will also show all games live. Reservations suggested. 
Also in Santa Monica, soccer friendly McCabe’s Bar & Grill, opens early for all 7:00 a.m. games.
Culver City’s friendly Irish pub Joxer Daly's opens at 4:15 a.m. for the early games; breakfast and drinks start at 6 a.m.
“Little Brazil,” a collection of Brazilian restaurants and bars along Venice Blvd, is Culver City’s hotspot during the World Cup. Enjoy award-winning Brazilian food in a vibrant, casual setting while you watch the Brazilian games at Café Brasil, or opt for the lively Zabumba Bar & Restaurant. Known for its authentic food, entertainment and atmosphere, Zabumba is the place to catch the World Cup if you’re looking for a packed house full of loud, enthusiastic fans.
Bavarian-themed Alpine Village near Torrance hosts Southern California’s biggest Oktoberfest in the fall. Soccer takes center stage this summer at this favorite of the German community in the South Bay. Wash Schweinebraten and other authentic German dishes down with one of 15 German-style beers on tap (some from local microbreweries, other imports) while watching every game live in the upstairs loft overlooking the large dance floor or in the bar below.
By Brazil in Old Torrance specializes in churrasco, a meat-intensive barbecue buffet. Expect a throbbing carnival atmosphere during the two 11:30 a.m. Brazil games the restaurant holds viewing parties for June 15 and 20. The buffet is $25 weekdays, $35 weekends. Reservations essential.
Just a couple of blocks away at the sleek new Miyako Hybrid Hotel on Western Avenue, the upscale Gonpachi Restaurant, which opens at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast will show all of Japan’s group games. It opens earlier at 3 a.m. June 19 for the Japan-Netherlands game and offers both American and Japan cuisine.
Carson’s Off Campus Pub sits in the shadow of Home Depot Center, the sports complex on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills, that is home to pro soccer clubs LA Galaxy and Chivas USA and the training center for U.S. national teams. Popular with fans before games, the small dive bar has two dozen beers on tap and will open for all World Cup games.Nick Green contributed to this story. Nick is a soccer columnist for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles-area newspapers. He blogs at www.insidesocal.com/soccer.
